Weekly News From South County High School

From the Principal

Family,

It has been a great week while still being a short week and who could ask for more than that? But before I get into this week, I wanted to share something from last week where our Student Council held it’s first Town Hall meeting where representatives from every classroom got together to discuss concerns, ideas, and solutions with the administration. These opportunities for students to have a voice in the direction we take as a school are so valuable to us and rewarding for them. We really do want to hear from our students and this opportunity presents us with the feedback to help us make South County a better school together.

On to this week! On Wednesday, I, along with a few of the administrative team members were invited to meet with our Leadership students as they presented their thoughts and ideas based on their project called “Be The Change” where students came up with areas in the school where they thought they would like to see some change. The topics we heard were around proposed changes to advisory, expanding recycling in the building, increasing student support for one another, etc. The presentations were very well done. And above all, the students were authentic. I truly appreciated the depth of the research they did before making proposals, and the level of details they went to in the design of their plans. We have some outstanding students in our building, and you should be proud of what they bring to us every day. They talked a lot, but I like them.

Thursday, we had a number of students to go over to Edison High School for the HBCU College Fair. According to those I was able to communicate with about the trip, it was a very positive experience. Mr. Mims, our Systems of Support Advisor, said, “Oh, it was dope!” For all of us out of the loop with the “hip talk” folks reading this, that means it was an outstanding experience. I appreciated the fact that the students were excited leaving and returning with new knowledge.

I am hoping that all of you take the opportunity to come out to see the theatrical production that our students are putting on, “21 Chump Street”. This is a 14-minute powerful yet entertaining production that our students and teacher, Mrs. Rumberger, are very excited about. I am looking forward to seeing the show with our students next week, so please no spoiler emails!

We had a number of students who have won a Scholastic Art Award this year. The list of students is rather long, so I won’t be able to list them. But I just wanted to say that I am so proud of these students. We have these talents that are on display throughout the building. When you come into the building and you see the evidence of these talents, don’t be afraid to compliment the artist even if they aren’t around. The smile on your face as you admire the work will be worth millions to that artist if they happen to see you admiring their work.

Lastly, I wanted to remind everyone that the end of the semester is upon us. For a few of our students it is a time to take advantage of the opportunity to refocus. For the vast majority, it is a time to recharge and dial in on the finish line for the year. I want you to know… not understand but know that we are committed to every student in our building every single day. One of my favorite quotes is, “We will find a way. Or we will make one.” I believe in this quote and I am determined to build this into all our young people we work with. This is a great deal of work, and I am asking that none of US, shy away from this work. I also need to ask that you don’t allow your child to shy away from this work. In order to do this work, I need you; all of you. We are a team, and more importantly a Family. Let’s all be committed to work together so that we can all eat together. Admittedly, I am not a Dallas Cowboy fan. But that image of Ezekiel Elliott spooning more food into his mouth after a great run is one that comes to mind as I think about giving our all to our students and seeing them thrive from that and wanting more and more. We can do this. Let’s do this. #OneStallion

Gary

Yearbooks

Buy your YEARBOOK today. Yearbooks cost $75 until the end of March. Get yours now before the price goes up. All sales are online at www.yearbookforever.com

SENIOR ADS FOR YEARBOOK

Senior ads for yearbook are on sale at www.yearbookforever.com until March. Space is limited. Get yours today to congratulate your senior on a job well done. (Ads can be bought for individuals, best friends, or school group of seniors- friends, seniors on teams, clubs, etc.).

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Program

Presented by SC High School Driver’s ED Program

Auditorium

February 13th (Thursday)

April 21st (Tuesday)

As a part of classroom driver education instruction, students and their parent/guardian are required to attend a 90-minute traffic safety program. This requirement must be met before a student will receive a Classroom Driver Education Certificate of Completion (DEC-District 8).

These programs will be held at South County High School four (4) times during this school year. Parents and students should attend the program during the quarter in which they are enrolled in driver’s education, but may attend other programs. Please be aware that you and your student only need to attend this program one time.

Programs will take place on the following dates: October 16th, November 11th, February 13th, and April 21st. The doors will open at 6:45PM with the programs beginning promptly at 7:00PM in the Auditorium. No registration is required for SCHS students currently enrolled in 10th grade Health & Physical Education (H&PE).

The legislative requirement is for a 90-minute program; therefore, doors will be shut at 7:00PM. No one will be admitted after the doors have been closed. If you are unable to attend any of these programs, additional program dates and locations can be found on the Fairfax County Public Schools website at www.fcps.edu.

If you have any questions, please contact Erich Gunderman, H&PE Department Chair, via email at Erich.Gunderman@fcps.edu. Thank you for your attention to this important requirement.

Do you have a child interested in the Arts? Don’t miss out on registering for Fairfax County’s Institute for the Arts starting on February 3rd! Classes are first come first serve!

South County MAC

South County MAC provides FREE tutoring on select Saturdays for all core subjects. Our next session is February 8th from 10 am- 1 pm in the SCHS library. During the session, MAC will have a Career & College Prep Workshop from 11: 30-12:30. Valarie Austin, LTC (Ret.) and author of "The Student's Comprehensive Guide For College & Other Life Lessons" will detail a framework of the knowledge, discipline, and financial goals needed to begin and graduate on time from college into a fulfilling career. The workshop is open to all South County 7th through 12th grade students and parents.

South County MAC events are open to all SCHS and SCMS students and parents! We invite parents and students of all backgrounds and demographics to join and attend MAC events. If you are interested or for additional information regarding MAC please contact us at SouthCountyMAC@gmail.com.

Attendance Office

Early Dismissals

Please send a note with your student in the morning to give to the Attendance Office first thing upon arrival. They will receive a pass for an early dismissal that time. Phones calls and should be reserved for sickness, late arrivals, and unscheduled events. Not only does this ensure your student will be dismissed on time but it also does not interrupt instructional time for other students as the pass is delivered. Thank-you for your assistance!

Springs Sports Tryouts

February 24, 2020

The activities office would like to remind all families of those interested in trying out for a spring sport that their child must have:

On file a VHSL physical form and concussion education signature page. This can be turned in to the activities office.

Golf Club Donations Needed

The Physical Education department is currently taking donations of your used golf clubs. We are looking to add a golf unit in the spring and are looking for your wedges, 9 irons and 8 irons only. Please contact Erich Gunderman @ cgunderman@fcps.edu to arrange a drop-off.

Thank you for supporting SCHS PE Department

Support SOCO Crew when you dine at

Glory Days!

Save your itemized receipts and support your crew team until January 27th!

When you dine at any Glory Days Grill before January 27th, ask your server for the itemized copy of your guest check (not the charge card receipt) and give them to parents of rowers or rowers themselves.

Questions? Contact Terry Dover: 931-624-1388

SOCOCrewfundraising@gmail.com

Important Upcoming Dates

January 27 Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)

January 28 Student Holiday (Staff Development Day)

February 17 Holiday/President's Day

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the good work of our South County HS Staff. Just click FCPS CARES.

Submission Deadline for February 1st News You Choose will be January 30th at noon. Please send all submissions to DBoullianne@fcps.edu.

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